Introduction

A market town in the English county of Suffolk, Bury St Edmunds has been a settlement since the 10th century when it was established by the Saxons. Although not as significant as it might have been several centuries ago, Bury St Edmunds is known today as a major brewing town as well as a shopping destination for those who want to visit independent stores.
Some of the town’s landmarks make it a popular destination for visitors throughout the country, whether it’s for their architecture or because there’s something unique about them. The town is also a great vantage point for exploring the rest of East Anglia, whether it’s some of the neighbouring market towns or the picturesque countryside enveloping Bury St Edmunds.

Ideal car

Economy
If you want to drive in the centre of Bury St Edmunds, the best thing to drive is a supermini or city car, simply for getting the hang of those one-way streets.

Driving in Bury St Edmunds

L

Road Driving Side

30mph

Urban Speed Limit

60mph

Rural Speed Limit

70mph

Motorway Speed Limit

Important things to note

Although busy at times, the A14 is the best route for getting into Bury St Edmunds, especially from the west.
Many of the roads in the town centre are one-way and, to many first-time visitors, can be confusing. It’s recommended to drive in that part of town with care.
Parking in the town is best done in the retail parks, as car parks in the centre of Bury St Edmunds can be a challenge.

Highlights & Hotspots

The Greene King Brewery is the largest British-owned brewery in the country. There is an on-site visitor centre, where you can see how some of their most famous beers including Greene King IPA are made while learning about how they have contributed to the fabric of life in the town.
Staying with beer, Bury St Edmunds is home to one of the UK’s smallest pubs. Getting a pint at the Nutshell might seem like hard work, but if you can grab one of its five seats, it’s worth it just for the novelty value.
The Theatre Royal is the only Regency-era theatre still standing in the country. Although it’s owned and run by the National Trust, it has a full programme of plays, operas and other live performances which routinely sell out all year round.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral was originally part of the wider Abbey Gardens but made a cathedral a century ago. Despite being small in size, it is one of the most impressive cathedrals in the UK, with its Gothic style maintained throughout.

Airport Information

London-Stansted Airport is 40 miles west of the town, while Norwich Airport is 41 miles north of the centre of Bury St Edmunds. The former is easier to get to and has the wider range of flights to international destinations.To get to Stansted, take the A14 and then the A11 southbound. Then, go onto the M11 and turn onto the A120 eastbound. The A134 and A11 will take you to Norwich.